Helpful Links

Outdoor Industry Partners

San Juan Mountain Guides carefully selects its industry partners and technical gear/outerwear sponsors. We not only support the way these partners do business with their customers, but our Guides and Guests use and abuse the gear we receive from each company. Take a look at their websites and see for yourself all the excellent products these companies offer.

Outdoor Research

San Juan Mountain Guides features technical outerwear by OR. Their focus on creating functional solutions for human powered adventure results in superbly designed product. Their commitment to quality means their gear lasts, and the Infinite Guarantee needs no explanation.

Osprey Packs

Their mission is to create innovative high performance gear that reflects our love of adventure and our devotion to the outdoors. We think they do a great job, so check out their amazing line up of packs for adventures of all types and sizes. Guide favorites are the Kode 38 and Mutant 38.

Black Diamond Equipment

At Black Diamond it’s all about climbing and skiing. They share the same experiences that you do on rock, ice and snow and these experiences push them to make the best gear possible for the worldwide family of climbers and skiers.

La Sportiva

La Sportiva possesses a strong passion for the mountains and the environment this is why there is always a consciousness of what kind of impact the factory has on the outdoor world. By using a proactive approach to business La Sportiva Italy can critically check existing processes as well as do extensive research to develop ways of reducing negative impacts and creating the best possible product for its consumers.

BlueWater Ropes

We are a climbing company. We are a family-owned American rope manufacturer with climbing in our DNA. Our roots trace back to the family textile business that began manufacturing in Georgia in 1903. We were the first American rope company to make a dynamic climbing rope and ever since those early days we’ve continued to make our trusted ropes even better. After six consecutive generations in textile manufacturing, BlueWater Ropes is THE standard in quality and durability.

The Rock Lounge

Durango’s premier climbing gym, coffee bar, and yoga facility. Owned and operated by Keeton Disser, who is also our Graphic Design and Marketing Specialist. The Rock Lounge hosts some great climbing, with constantly updated routes, free wi-fi, and more. Come train, hang out, and climb with us in Durango!

Pine Needle Mountaineering

Durango’s premier climbing, camping, hiking, and ski shop since 1976. Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountain Range in Colorado, their expert staff is dialed-in, and eager to provide the most up-to-date information about the activities we all love.

Ouray Mountain Sports

Located in Ouray, Colorado, in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, we have a great selection of equipment to help you pursue all your outdoor passions. They caters to the high-end rock climber or alpinist as well as the hiker, trekker or just your average outdoor enthusiast.

American Mountain Guides Assoc.

The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) has been dedicated to supporting the guiding community through excellence in education, standards, and certification to enhance the quality of services provided to the public, while serving as a resource for accessing and protecting the natural environment. SJMG is an AMGA Accredited Guide Service.

American Alpine Club

They protect the places we climb, advocate for American climbers around the world, preserve climbing’s history and chronicle climbing achievement. The AAC’s ongoing commitment to inspiring and supporting climbers dates back to 1902, when the country’s leading climbers and conservationists banded together to form the Club.

AIARE

You can rest assured you’ll get the same information from any AIARE course or instructor no matter where you take your course. Rather than wasting time shopping for a good curriculum and quality materials, leave that to AIARE; you can concentrate on finding a course that has a location, venue, and instructor team that meets your personal needs.

The Ouray Ice Park

The Ouray Ice Park (the Park) is a man-made ice climbing venue operated in a spectacular natural gorge just outside the town of Ouray, CO. It is home to more than 200 named ice and mixed climbs, most within a 15-minute walk of the Park entrance. The Park and its infrastructure are jointly owned and managed by the City of Ouray, the nonprofit Ouray Ice Park, Inc. (OIPI), and a mix of other private and public landowners.

Alladin’s Lamp Hut

Experience Colorado’s majestic San Juan Mountains at the only available hut on Molas Pass. Situated at 10,525 feet and ¼ mile from highway 550, the Aladdin’s Lamp Hut provides excellent terrain for gentle backcountry skiing and snowshoeing with steep powder chutes and stupendous spring corn skiing to beckon the more advanced backcountry traveler.

OPUS Hut

The Ophir Pass Ultimate Ski Hut (OPUS) is a completely self-sufficient and off-the-grid lodge that also boasts some of the country’s most spectacular mountain surroundings and all the amenities you need when the sun goes down after a long day of play. The backcountry skiing possibilities are endless.

Red Mountain Pass Cabins

Located in Sounthwestern Colorado between Ouray and Silverton in the heart of the San Juans Mountains in Southwestern Colorado. 3 convenient options all easily accessed from Highway 550 – The Addie S, Mountain Belle, and Artist Cabin.

The United States Forest Service

San Juan Mountain Guides is an authorized permit holder in the San Juan National Forest, the Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre National Forest, and the Shoshone National Forest.

The National Park Service

San Juan Mountain Guides is an authorized permit holder in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Denali National Park, and Mt. Rainier National Park.

Testimonials

I wanted to let you let you know about our recent trip to Ouray. We have used San Juan Mountain Guides every year since 2001 for our ice climbing about at the Ice Park and in the surrounding backcountry areas. This was our first year at the Ice Festival and what a great time it was! We know that every year SJMG will teach us and test us on the best climbs in the area. Thank you and your staff for everything and we look forward to seeing you guys next January.

G. Brauer

JB and I now feel like we can go into the backcountry and safely plan our trip, pick our travel routes and travel techniques and most importantly work together to have a great time out their while being safe……we will be highly recommending that our friends take this course too!

Erin B.

Some girlfriends and myself decided to take an Avy 1 Class to prepare ourselves for some backcountry turns. We were recommended San Juan Mountain Guides and were not let down! These guys do a great job of introducing newbies, such as myself, to the potential dangers of backcountry travel and to the fun possibilities of educated decision making. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who is looking to travel high in the winter!

Laura P.

Just wanted to drop you a line and express how much I thoroughly enjoyed your ice class. It was fun to spend sometime with a climber of Andres ability. He was a terrific instructor an a joy to be around. You have a great service and I will be back again….Thanks again for a thoroughly enjoyable two days.

S. Morgan

Partners

Operating under special use permit in the Rio Grande – San Juan National Forest and the Grand Mesa – Uncompahgre National Forest – Denali National Park – Wrangell St. Elias National Park – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – Indian Creek BLM – Moab BLM – Ouray Ice Park – Shoshone National Forest.